Belgium · 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro

Issue date23 Mar 2016

Total mintage375,000

EU maximum375,000

Editions5

Edge lettering2 ★ ★ × 6, alternating upright/inverted

InscriptionTEAM BELGIUM / 2016 / BE

DesignerLuc Luycx

mintKoninklijke Munt van Belgie, Brussel

Issue occasion

The commemorative coin is dedicated to the Olympic Games. The design shows a stylised figure holding the five Olympic rings and the inscription “TEAM BELGIUM”. Next to it are the year 2016 and the country code “BE”, framed by the mint mark of Brussels featuring the helmeted head of the Archangel Michael and the mintmaster’s mark.

The design

In the inner part of the coin, a stylized figure, the five Olympic rings and the inscription “TEAM BELGIUM” are depicted from top to bottom. On the left is the year 2016; on the right is the country code “BE” between the mintmark of Brussels, the helmeted head of the Archangel Michael and the mintmaster’s mark.
The twelve stars of the European flag are depicted on the outer ring of the coin.

Background on the topic

This refers to the Games of the XXXI Olympiad, held in Rio de Janeiro from 5 to 21 August 2016. Rio was the first South American city to host the Summer Olympics. Brazil had previously hosted the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Preparations for the Games took place during a period of political and economic tensions in the country; at the same time, questions concerning construction costs, environmental impact and the use of the sports venues were discussed.

The modern Olympic Games go back to the revival of the ancient competitions initiated by Pierre de Coubertin. The first Summer Games of the modern era were held in Athens in 1896. Belgium first participated in 1900 in Paris and hosted the Games itself in 1920 with Antwerp. At the Antwerp Games, the Olympic flag with its five interlocking rings was used in a stadium for the first time. The Olympic oath was also spoken there for the first time. This gives the Olympic movement a particular connection to Belgian sporting history.

“Team Belgium” is the common designation for the Belgian Olympic team. It is organised by the Belgian Olympic and Interfederal Committee (Belgisch Olympisches und Interföderales Komitee). The federal character is relevant here: in Belgium, sport is largely a matter for the language communities, while the Olympic team brings together athletes from throughout the country.

Belgium sent a delegation to Rio in several sports. It won six medals. Gold medals were won by the athlete Nafissatou Thiam in the heptathlon and the cyclist Greg Van Avermaet in the road race. These were joined, among others, by silver medals for the Belgian men’s national hockey team and the swimmer Pieter Timmers.

The coin issue appeared before the competitions began. It therefore did not refer to individual results, but to the participation of the Belgian delegation and its national representative role. The Olympic Games are also suitable as an occasion for a circulation commemorative coin because they combine an internationally renowned event with a clear Belgian connection.